How to grow Sugar Snap Peas

Learn how to plant, grow, and harvest Sugar Snap Peas with this helpful guide. Get tips on sun requirements, fertilization, pests and diseases, and more! 

Sugar Snap Peas require fertile, well draining soil with plenty of compost mixed in.

Plant Sugar Snap Peas in a full sun position. 

Sugar Snap Peas will tolerate light frost, but several days of frost will damage the plants. 

Space Sugar Snap Peas 15cm apart.  

Sugar Snap Peas are cool season crops that are usually planted from autumn through to spring. Snow Peas will grow well in temperatures between 10–25°C(50–77°F).

The best method for planting Sugar Snap Peas is direct sowing.

If transplanting seedlings, plant out in the early morning or evening and/or on an overcast day. Avoid planting at peak sun times or on windy days, this will allow your plants to settle in comfortably and protect them from windburn and sunburn.  

Feeding is generally not required for Sugar Snap Peas. However, the soil must be well prepared with plenty of compost mixed in before planting.  

Mulch will help to retain moisture in the soil. 

Sugar Snap Peas should be harvested before the pea pods swell and while they are still glossy. If left on too long, the Peas will become dull in appearance and the pea pods will swell and become tough to eat.  

Pests that affect Sugar Snap Peas include: Aphids, Pea Moth, Slug, Snail, Leaf Miner, Mexican Bean Beetle, Thrips, Root Knot Nematode, Mites. 

Diseases that affect Sugar Snap Peas include: Blight, Root Rot, Damping Off, Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Fusarium Wilt, Septoria Blotch, Mosaic Virus, Bean White Mold. 

Sugar Snap Pea plants are climbers and will need support in the form of a trellis.

Vines will die back when the cool season comes to an end as they struggle in warmer temperatures.